Lineberry v. United States of America et al

Filing 52

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER: Adopting the 50 Proposed Findings and Recommendation of the Magistrate Judge; denying as moot Defendant Martin's 25 Motion to Dismiss or in the Alternative Motion for Summary Judgment; granting in part and den ying in part Defendant Martin's 35 Supplemental Motion to Dismiss or in the Alternative Motion for Summary Judgment; ordering that the 35 Supplemental Motion be GRANTED to the extent the Plaintiff is asserting a Bivens claim against the Bur eau of Prisons, and be DENIED as to Defendant Martin's following arguments: (1) "There is no implied damages remedy for excessive use of force;" (2) "Even if a cause of action did exist, there is no constitutional violation;" and (3) "The Defendant is entitled to qualified immunity." Signed by Judge Irene C. Berger on 9/5/2018. (cc: attys; any unrepresented party; Magistrate Judge Aboulhosn) (btm)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA
BECKLEY DIVISION

CHRISTOPHER LINEBERRY,
Plaintiff,
v.

CIVIL ACTION NO. 5:17-cv-04124

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS,
CORRECTIONAL OFFICER [C.O.] MARTIN,
JOHN DOE[S] and JANE DOE[S],
Defendants.

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

On October 4, 2017, the Plaintiff, proceeding pro se, filed his Complaint (Documents 2) in this
matter. Pending are Defendant [Martin]’s Motion to Dismiss or in the Alternative Motion for Summary
Judgment (Document 25) filed on March 20, 2018, and Defendant [Martin]’s Supplemental Motion to
Dismiss or in the Alternative Motion for Summary Judgment (Document 35) filed on April 12, 2018.
By Standing Order (Document 4) entered on October 5, 2017, this action was referred to the
Honorable Omar J. Aboulhosn, United States Magistrate Judge, for submission to this Court of proposed
findings of fact and recommendation for disposition, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636. On August 10, 2018,
the Magistrate Judge submitted a Proposed Findings and Recommendation (Document 50) wherein it is
recommended that Defendant [Martin]’s Motion to Dismiss or in the Alternative Motion for Summary
Judgment (Document 25) be denied as moot, and that Defendant [Martin]’s Supplemental Motion to
Dismiss or in the Alternative Motion for Summary Judgment (Document 35) be granted in part and denied
in part.

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Objections to the Magistrate Judge=s Proposed Findings and Recommendation were due by August
27, 2018, and none were filed by either party. The Court is not required to review, under a de novo or any
other standard, the factual or legal conclusions of the magistrate judge as to those portions of the findings
or recommendation to which no objections are addressed. Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 150 (1985).
Failure to file timely objections constitutes a waiver of de novo review and a party’s right to appeal this
Court=s Order. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); see also Snyder v. Ridenour, 889 F.2d 1363, 1366 (4th Cir. 1989);
United States v. Schronce, 727 F.2d 91, 94 (4th Cir. 1984).
Accordingly, the Court ADOPTS and incorporates herein the findings and recommendation of the
Magistrate Judge as contained in the Proposed Findings and Recommendation, and ORDERS that
Defendant [Martin]’s Motion to Dismiss or in the Alternative Motion for Summary Judgment (Document
25) be DENIED AS MOOT, and that Defendant [Martin]’s Supplemental Motion to Dismiss or in the
Alternative Motion for Summary Judgment (Document 35) be GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN
PART. Specifically, it is ORDERED that the motion (Document 35) be GRANTED to the extent the
Plaintiff is asserting a Bivens claim against the Bureau of Prisons, and be DENIED as to Defendant
Martin’s following arguments: (1) “There is no implied damages remedy for excessive use of force;” (2)
“Even if a cause of action did exist, there is no constitutional violation;” and (3) “The Defendant is entitled
to qualified immunity.”
The Court DIRECTS the Clerk to send a certified copy of this Order to Magistrate Judge
Aboulhosn, counsel of record, and any unrepresented party.
ENTER:

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September 5, 2018